Ellsworth receives operation and maintenance wastewater treatment award 3 years straight

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Anania Tekurio
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE S.D. --  The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources announced May 1, that Ellsworth is the recipient of the 2014 Operation and Maintenance Wastewater Treatment Award for the third year straight.

The award, presented during the 2014 South Dakota Water and Wastewater Association Operators seminar April 29 and 30 in Pierre, S.D., is for outstanding operation of the wastewater system and environmental compliance with its state surface water discharge permit during the past year.

Kevin Goyer, Project Solutions Inc. program manager for Ellsworth, said he credits the nearly 100 industrial workcenters across the base who implement and sustain the compliance programs.

"This award is a very important accomplishment for Ellsworth," said Goyer. "There are over 400 facilities across the state of South Dakota who aim to achieve this type of recognition, so for us to  be awarded  that acknowledgment three years in a row, to me, demonstrates our commitment to obey the law, protect natural resources and be good neighbors."

Qualifications for the award are based on a system's compliance with state environmental requirements, the quality of the treated and discharged wastewater, monitoring reports, state inspections, and proper operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment facility.

"Wastewater treatment systems are essential services that we all use every day, but are taken for granted unless there is a malfunction," said Steve Pirner DENR secretary. "These award winners are the certified wastewater operation specialists who went the extra mile last year to ensure there were no malfunctions."

Goyer added that what sets Ellsworth Air Force Base apart from other facilities are the activity-specific environmental compliance plans managed by each industrial shop and the great amount of expertise, time and coordination provided by environmental compliance personnel to develop clear and accurate guidance - the key to their success.

"I think it's great that our people get recognized for the hard work that they accomplish," said Goyer. "It's a great validation to our attention to detail, confidence and compliance to our mission."